(06/12/2016 09:40)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]It's been reported Porterbrook are looking at converting some 319s in to dual-powered DEMUs and if successful 4 would go to Northern and a larger batch could go to GWR.
If successful, we could have Liverpool-Blackpool service, using 319, even if the Preston-Blackpool line is not yet electrified. We also could have the LIV-MCO service via Warrington central using 319.
Would the new Northern Franchise really be interested in these conversions though , having invested so much in new trains which will probably be more efficient.
Sometimes these Rolling Stock are clutching at straws to keep the units in active service .
I think this is supposedly a short term fix due to the risk of electrification delays having knock on effects like postponing capacity enhancements on other lines.
Someone other than Northern would be paying then as the franchise business case would not balance if they took these units .
(09/12/2016 23:11)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]Someone other than Northern would be paying then as the franchise business case would not balance if they took these units .
The December 2017 plan included in the Northern franchise agreement will no longer work as GWR won't be releasing the 150s Northern need to implement the changes in time. While it means lower leasing costs it also means lower income from fare revenue e.g. without the new Chester-Calder Valley service Northern won't get a greater share of the Chester-Manchester revenue. It also may result in proportionally higher staffing costs if they've already employed trainee drivers for the additional services and there's no trains for them to work.
I would imagine few passengers would travel from Chester to Manchester via Northwich anyway.
As Northern ar the only train operator on the Northwich line they would collect all the revenue anyway.
You're missing the point. When they start the Chester to Warrington to Manchester to Leeds service Northern will get over half of the Chester to Manchester revenue when currently they only get a small portion of it. That new service was due to start next year but may not if GWR keep the 150s.
If the GWR loco hauled goes ahead then maybe that will release enough stock for what will presumably be a Chester-rochdale service initially. They will also have the Blackpool units if electrification from Ordsall Lane to Euxton is finished and Blackpool reopens fully wired.
(12/12/2016 09:31)mikestone Wrote: [ -> ]If the GWR loco hauled goes ahead then maybe that will release enough stock for what will presumably be a Chester-rochdale service initially. They will also have the Blackpool units if electrification from Ordsall Lane to Euxton is finished and Blackpool reopens fully wired.
The current proposal is for GWR to delay the release of their Sprinters by 6 months and indefinitely for some of the 153s and Northern are reportedly looking at postponing enhancements until May 2018.
The Chester to Calder Valley will be an extension of an existing Calder Valley service but when Bradford to Manchester Airport starts that will be a whole new service.
There's a lot of additional units required for the planned changes. TPE need their loaned 185s back to implement their proposed changes and Northern will have to run a semi-fast on the CLC line between Liverpool and Manchester to replace the TPE service which will be diverted via Chat Moss. TPE will also divert their Scottish services back via Bolton so it's important that the enhanced Airport to Barrow/Windermere services start and are diverted via Wigan. Those two services will be the priority for Northern's extra/released stock. Then there's also the Buxton, Mid-Cheshire and Atherton lines which are in desperate need of extra capacity and are due to get additional services. If there's much more growth on the Mid-Cheshire line they'll be Chester bound services in the morning peak and Manchester bound services in the evening peak leaving behind passengers and having to wait an hour for the next service.
(13/12/2016 20:51)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]That tallys exactly with what someone said on the 1649, M'cr-Sheffield the other week, when an American woman said the overcrowding was "worse than London". I've simply stopped using this train now, as combined with the poor punctuality of the 0903 from New Mills means I'm losing having to make up too much time at work.
Someone originally from Venezuela spent a few months commuting on the Mid-Cheshire line. He was impressed with how many towns are connected by rail in this country but was unimpressed with the quality of rolling stock and how overcrowded services were.